BRZRKR: Fallen Empire #1

BRZRKR: Bloodlines #2

by Mattson Tomlin (Writer), Rebekah Isaacs (Illustrator), Dee Cunniffe (Colorist)

The lone survivor of Olos, a long-dead empire that once thrived, tells a tale of B.’s distant past, and the death and cataclysm he brought forth.
But what else did B. find that could have driven him to such violence? The heart is as much a weapon as any in B.’s arsenal…

Created by the iconic Keanu Reeves, BRZRKR and The Batman Part II screenwriter and Eisner Award-nominated writer Mattson Tomlin (A Vicious Circle, Batman: The Imposter) is joined by hit artist Rebekah Isaacs (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Money Shot) to bring fans more brutality from the ancient past!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2023

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(B+) 79% | Good
Notes: More plot than fists, it's twists on twists, a lucid, lively story, still lots of blood, but not a flood (not ludicrously gory).

*Progress update

[Tawfek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually way way better than poetry of madness that i had to go back and give poetry of madness 1 star lol
For some reason both tales feel devoid of originality, i don't know why i am getting this feeling, but i read a few Conan stories, maybe because they give the same feeling?
Anyway the worst thing in this story was Keanu Reeves John Wick acting, MC is still in need of a personality, and he is never going to get it, it seems!
This story though was dramatic, the twist wasn't insane or anything, but it made the story more dramatic.
The art was really good here also way better than poetry of madness even though i liked the art not the direction of the art over there, there was actual action scenes, the fights conveyed what really happened, even though the story wasn't full on mayhem like Poetry of Madness.
Issue is where does it stop? because both stories pretty much have the same premise, Old civilizations destroyed by the immortal because he crossed paths with them, and they were assholes to him, you can make tons of these stories, Bring out your Ubar, Sodom and Gomorrah and so on, and put this guy smack dab in the middle of destruction.
Even though following friends reviews at the time, the ratings were higher for early BRZRKR and lower for the following volumes, i think maybe i want to give it a chance to see how Keanu is any better than these writers.
I tried to keep this review spoiler free, you are welcome 😂

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty solid spin-off story.

I liked the intrigue, that it wasn't all blood and guts but when that came it was a meaningful punch.

Artwork looking good as always, and in fact clearer and more meaningful in places I felt.

Pretty badass, and a great contribution to the series.

[Cameron Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone that didn’t care much about the main series this was actually a pretty good addition to the overall lore of the character.

[Nando Gigaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

BRZRKR: Fallen Empire feels like a missing piece from the original series. It delves deeper into Berseker's past and explores aspects of his love life barely touched upon before.

While the original arcs scratched the surface of his historical journey, they left his emotional capacity largely unexamined. All we knew was his cursed immortality and inability to have children, which hindered emotional connection. Fallen Empire injects much-needed emotional depth into Berseker, showcasing a wider range to his character that I would have loved to see woven into the main BRZRKR narrative.


Covers:
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(Main cover)


(Variant cover)


(Retailer exclusive)


(Event exclusive)

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

CW— Nudity, graphic depictions of violence


The fact that Keanu Reeves played a major part in making this comic (and the fact that the main character in this comis IS Kranu Reeves) had me immediately saying yes to this one.

I haven't read the main series, but this can be read as a standalone. This almost seems like a prequel.

I enjoyed the story, and the artwork is beautiful. Keanu Reeves' character seems to be an immortal being that has an inner monster that needs to come out and slate its thirst on violence— he accomplishes this by going on a killing spree.

Betrayal, plot twists, it's set up right from the beginning and ties up nicely at the end! I would recommend it!

[Hannah Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This issue took me by surprise in a really good way. This is absolutely one of my favorite comic issues I've read in a while. There's a beautiful queen, a barren desert, warring nations, and plenty of intrigue. Of course, there's also B, who is caught in the middle of it all. This issue is beautiful and sexy and still full of raging violence. Amazing.

Thanks to Boom! for a review copy of the Bloodlines volume which included this issue.

[Kiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is v. violent, gratuitously so, graphically so* - at least for me. However this issue has a v good and compelling story-line and it is told well, plus the rest of the artwork is good (pretty) and enjoyable.

*the violence is part, parcel, and raison d'etre of the main character, so I guess it should be illuminated.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what I wanted out of the main series, a lot of good story here explaining the backstory of the Berserker and why he ultimately acts of Diana in the main series the way he does. Good comic.

[Buddy Scalera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good standalone spin-off story from the main BRZRKR maxi-series.

[KeYanla Cleckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It really gave poetry of madness no justice! This was so good. It had a story, a plot, and great revenge/sabotage arc

[Phoenix Moore]

Great story in the epic that is BRZRKR. Highly recommend for anyone that's a fan of comics, seriously.

[Cristian Tomescu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow.

[Katie Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

I normally don't read comics without color but Brzrkr has changed that a little for me. I love how the story was told

[iamjacsmusings · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second favourite BRZRKR content, both in terms of story arc and Isaacs art.

[Nightwing’s Thiccness · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 1-shot was MUCH better than Atlantis Cthulhu. Keanu’s character was so much more force-of-nature than an action-movie-hero. Chef’s kiss to the Queen’s twist at the end.

[Lizzy DeMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this whole series